Christmas budget

[bumblebee39]

To think £100 each is fair enough? £400 all in with £100 per DC, £50 on a tree and lights (already got decorations), £50 on cards and little presents for teachers, neighbours etc. (Family and friends understand I'm struggling financially this year), £100 food budget plus gingerbread house kit. May also spend a little extra for Xmas party clothes for the kids if we're invited to one (I'll wear something pre loved) and Xmas jumpers and bits like that in the run up. Never spent less than a grand on Xmas but this year things are tight. I know £100 will look like a lot more for DC2 who is a toddler compared to DC1 who is older.

Breakdown for kids would be £25 Xmas eve box, £25 stocking, £50 on main present(s)
Is that too tight? Do I need to make it £150 each? I know other families who will be spending a lot more and don't want my kids feeling like they have coal for Christmas.

When did a Christmas Eve box become an essential? Serious question.

BTW I think £100 per child is very generous.

Agree with PP - Christmas Eve box not essential. £100 per dc absolutely fine - we never spend more than that even though we could afford to as I don’t think getting loads is actually that great for kids. Time and fun with you is far more important (sorry if that sounds trite)

I would skip the Xmas eve box, and use the money towards presents they actually want rather than on Xmas jammies and all the rest of the junk on a Xmas eve box. They're great if you've got the spare cash, but you can skip them if you've not.

If you are struggling then this seems a lot! Mine will have about £25 each spent on them by us ..twin one year olds. I would rather spend more when they are older when it’s time for bikes etc.
If you are happy spending this then great.
What’s a Christmas Eve box please?

I’d have a £400 overall budget for the kids and split it more unequally as older kids will get less for their money but be more aware of the whole Xmas thing than baby/toddler age who can still get a lot of fun from lower price items or second hand bundles.
Miss out Xmas eve boxes as they’re a waste of money anyway- just do hot choc and maybe glow sticks in the bath (£2/£3 will cover that) instead on Xmas eve.
You could also save on cards and stamps by not doing them for posting or making homemade cards. I’d also cut out teacher gifts but write a letter of appreciation to the teachers, with maybe a small box of choc or biscuits.

If you're struggling, ditch the Christmas Eve box, the cards (except for elderly relatives maybe?) and the teacher presents.
Shop at Aldi or similar for food.
Christmas is about time together and families.
We don't generally have a spend amount, it's one big present per child and then a stocking. Sometimes they don't get the exactly the same amount spent on them because what they want is different, as long as they have similar amount to open.

Xmas eve box totally not essential.

DC1 has always has a Christmas Eve box. Nothing is Christmas specifically it is the opportunity for me to buy some nice pjs, a book and a cuddly as well as a hot chocolate to drink while we make our gingerbread house and watch out Xmas eve film. I have bought DVDs in the past but will stream one this year. I think our Xmas eve tradition is one of the absolute prerequisites. I'd rather skip the tree tbh!! Xx

I’d ditch the Christmas Eve box too. Really not needed. Then you have more to play with for Christmas Day.
Budget sounds absolutely fine though. We’re not struggling financially and don’t spend any more than that on the DC.

If DC2 is a toddler who won't know the relationship between money and things, I wouldn't get too fixated on spending the same amount - more important that both DC feel they've done as well as the other.

Why are you buying gifts for neighbours?

Stop the gifts for neighbours and for teacher.
Or, in the run up bake some biscuits to give to them. A fun activity which equals a homemade gift!

I’d cut out Xmas eve boxes, the stockings and presents for teachers/neighbours/friends.

Christmas Eve box is not an essential to most people, just something I have always done with DC1 and my family tradition. We don't have elf on the shelf and often spend Xmas day and/ or Boxing Day so Xmas eve has been the most precious time. This year we will be spending it minus ex, in laws, or my family for the first time so I don't want them feeling like Xmas eve has changed too. I will definitely head to Aldi. I could probably bring the food bill down which would leave more for gift giving and less for receiving. I only meant token presents for teachers and neighbors, but I have a big family so even cards take a fair amount of time and money! There are also a couple of people I would love to treat because they have been so there for me this year. They are friends and family members who I feel deserve a bottle of baileys or a box of chocolates as an absolute minimum.

If the xmas eve box is an essential and a wonderful part of it for your family then keep it. Personally i'd question the tree spend. I noticed last year there are an awful lot of nice fake trees in the charity shops in posh areas. So a fiver instead of 50 for this year. But equally the real tree could be really important to you. I'd ditch the stamps. And the written note will mean far more to the teachers.

I’d also me tempted to do £75 toddler, £125 older ds

Sounds a lot of money to me even if not on a budget. There's a fair bit you can reduce or dispense with entirely there.

Baking is a good idea! I could certainly do some brownies or fairy cakes! I'm no master chef but it would be fun to do with the DCs too.

The pressure to spend just gets worse and worse. It's depressing.

Not a bottle of baileys. A heartfelt card showing gratitude (and a cheap box of chocs if you must). Remember if your tanking them the last thing you want is them then to feel awkward that they don’t have a gift to give to you

How many do you need to feed with your food budget and is it just for Xmas Eve/Xmas Day and Boxing Day?

Our Woolworths special is looking a bit ropey so i'll be charity shop stalking for a new tree this year. Just so you know i don't give advice i don't follow myself!

I’d put charity shop teddy and book in the Xmas eve boxes as the DC won’t even notice the difference.

Scrap teacher presents. I hate to think my pupils’ parents are trying to get us something that really really isn’t necessary. Token gifts add up and probably aren’t actually used. Make them Xmas biscuits with your DC. They’ll be really appreciated - especially if you do it at the beginning of December before the rest come in.